People preach that “you shouldn’t write for the money.”
They proclaim you should strictly do it for the love of the craft. Or your audience. Or other honorable reasons.
Unfortunately, these people have forsaken you.
Because you should write for the money, and I’m here to expose the cliché.
“There’s no money in books.”
That’s what a woman told me at the first writer’s group I ever attended.
Minutes later, the group meeting began, and everyone was asked to introduce themselves. That’s when the aforementioned woman stood up, raised a novel, and explained the author who wrote the book in her hands was the sole reason she founded her own publishing company.
WTF(udge)?
How would the novel’s author feel knowing their publisher was saying, “There’s no money in books,” within minutes of meeting people?
More bizarre was that after the meeting ended, I was speaking to an editor when the woman joined our conversation and repeated her doom-and-gloom money making stance.
“Tell Stephen King he can’t make money from writing books,” the editor replied.
“Yeah, maybe I’ll win the lottery, too!” the woman said.
Most bizarre was that within one year, that woman would be elected as the writing group’s treasurer.
It Begins with a Dream
Money’s a funny thing when it comes to the realm of creativity, especially writing.
Let’s take you, for instance. You probably fell in love with the craft while dreaming of making a living from it, right?
Maybe you imagined your words funding big bank accounts? Or you envisioned your text going viral across blogs, book clubs and best-seller lists?
But you soon discovered that making money from writing required an unpaid internship at your keyboard. Then you heard other writers repeating the same old cliché which insists, “You shouldn’t write for the money.”
And maybe you even started believing it.
Straight up, it’s a false statement which must be silenced – so starting today, we’ll reboot your brain, and modify your mindset.
So without further vamping, these are the 4 shameless reasons why you should write for the money:
1. Time
You can never get it back.
You’ve missed meals with family and friends in favor of writing sessions. You’ve given up sleep at dawn and dusk to spin your pretty prose.
You’ve surrendered countless hours, days, and years working on the craft when you could have been living another life. Your writing time can never be recaptured, but you continue to throw it at the page.
Yet people claim you shouldn’t write for the money? You know what else people say?
“Time is money.”
2. Money
Not their money. Your money.
You’ve tossed cash and credit at books, writing courses, coaching/editing services, conferences, writing groups, and more. Of course, I believe these resources can be smart investments.
Except there’s a point where the spent money disproportionately outweighs the love of the craft. Writing has a business side to it which you must respect.
So while others assert you shouldn’t write for the money, you must start earning back some of the money you already spent on writing.
You owe it to yourself.
3. Ego
You’re a better writer than the competition.
That statement should ring true assuming you’ve invested the time and money mentioned in the first two reasons.
Your sacrifices propelled you to rise above the majority of writers out there, and believing that doesn’t make you a stuck up, monstrous egomaniac.
Ego is also synonymous with self-esteem, self-importance, self-worth, and self-confidence. Embracing ego means you know the value in your words, and it’s okay to write with the expectation you’ll get paid for them.
You don’t need to think you’re a god on the page, but you must start believing your talent is worthy enough to charge for that page.
The sooner you adopt this confidence, sans arrogance, the sooner you’ll understand why “you should write for the money.”
4. Purpose
You’ve never stopped writing and if you did, it would haunt your soul.
Because your purpose is to become the writer you’re meant to be.
So serving your purpose goes hand in hand with writing for the money. Because the first payment for your words is an initial step toward fulfilling your writing dreams.
Yes, it turns out that once your dreams begin to flow, so can your cash flow – and that money can equip you to reach more readers or help more people than ever before – so you must accept that the pursuit of money can coexist with your purpose.
Otherwise, get comfy with that day job you don’t love because it will forever pay the bills.
Write for the Bling!
Come on, it’s a given you love the craft of writing. Why else would you keep at it when there are countless alternatives to make easier money?
So with that no-brainer out of the way, I contend you should write for the money.
You’ve sacrificed the time, invested the money, put in the work, and solidified your purpose. These stacked reasons should empower you to confidently scream, “I owe it to myself to make money from my writing!”
Because there’s money in books. There’s value in your words. There’s currency in your creativity.
But only if you start believing it.
I’ve spent the majority of my adulthood writing, studying, and investing in the craft without asking for a penny. But now, I choose to believe it’s okay to write with the intention of making money.
I challenge you to do the same.
People love a false dilemma. Mark McGuinness of LateralAction.com has been teaching for years that yes, you should create art because you’re an artist, and then, immediately afterward, put on your business hat to sell that project and plan the next. (Oversimplification, I hope it’s obvious.)
As long as we don’t wear the money hat while we write, or the artist beret while we market, doing both works just fine.
Hey Joel. Maybe there’s a blended approach. Maybe that can actually co-exist and our art can serve two purposes. As always, thanks for dropping by, my man.
I’m a Big #3 all the way! Honestly, of course, I hope to make some financial gains through my novels, or I wouldn’t be working so hard on it. I used to have a life. Now I talk to people all day who don’t exist. But there’s more to that than just selling books. Actually, I have a sketch of a marketing plan. I’m hoping to cross-promote through gaming and possibly graphic novels. A movie deal would be nice, too.
Hey Cindy. Love it! I’m a fan of all four reasons. 😉
Keep working. You’ll get there. I really believe you’ll get there all the way. 🙂
Sometimes it’s nice to hear this kind of pep talk at the end of the day.
Hey Madalain (cool spelling). Yep, I’m here to pep and step, and start and end the days proper-like. Thanks so much for sharing your take. I appreciate it!
I think writers sometimes forget that our time and our craft is worth something. This is so important to remember. Thank you for this.
Masha, thank you for believing. I mean that. Just don’t stop believing. And try not to think of The Journey song there 😉
So glad that you addressed this! I love the craft of writing. I can’t imagine doing anything else at this stage of life. And I approach my second chapter career of writing as I have approached other business endeavors: I invest, strive for excellence and expect return. I’m too old to offer apologies for dreams, desires or ambition. For me, there is only time to really go for it! Thanks for a good post, David.
Yo, Oregonite (is that what I call ya?). Thanks for being confident and getting this before it was even put on the page. Love that. Also, thanks for sharing where you’re at in the story of your life. It matters and I’m proud of ya. 🙂
David, how about “Oregonian” as opposed to “Oregonite,” which sort of sounds like a rock… You are a hero to me. Continue to stand in the light of your truth. I am happy to know you!
Wow.
Oregonian… At least it’s easier to write than say.
Also, love right back your way. Mutual respect floweth.
Peace.
Hi David
I agree with all of the comments above. This is my time and, due to circumstances beyond my control, I find myself at last having to get on with it … and not to do it would be total self-betrayal and a waste. I never want to reach the end of my life wondering why I never took my dream and tried my best for success. I want to block out all of the negativity of those who don’t believe writing can be a profession for which you are paid and deservedly paid for the passion, yes, but the long long hours and extremely hard work demanded by writing for a living. Thank you so much for your thoughts and encouragement!
Hello Jude. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Of course, it sounds like you’re doing all you can to reach for your dreams despite challenging circumstances. I pray you got some solid peace in that soul knowing you’re doing what ya can. I know I got appreciation and respect for you moving forward the best you can. 🙂
Just keep doing what you can, but above all, please take care of yourself and get well.
You’re a star, David. You’ve entered my life at just the right moment.
Thank you. 🙂
Jude, much love your way. We’re on the same page. 🙂
You’re spot on, David! I needed this post. Thank you for giving me a perspective to move forward and shamelessly value my writing as worthy to be paid for! There’s a lot of parallels for me as a counselor in private practice. i.e. some believe I get paid to be empathic. The reality is, yes, I’m empathic, but I’m paid for my skills, insights, and ability to help people make legacy changes in their lives! My methods and therapy expertise is mixed in with my passion and love of working with people. I’m challenged to believe my writing is just as valuable. I’ve heard it from my own clients. . . and it has enhanced their life changes. I look forward to seeing you at the conference!
Hey Judy. I appreciate you sharing your perspective and how the piece helped ya just a bit.
I’m also thankful that you took the time to comment here. 😉
I’ll see ya soon.
I’m so with you on this one . I’m far too old to to live in a cold garret working for nothing. My words are worth it, my story is worth it, and besides which, I want my cabin on the beach!
Nice! Now that you mention it, I want to earn myself a beach house, too. 😉